Customer Reviews

Peace...Back By Popular Demand

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This recording of peace songs of the 1960's and 70's is well performed. Don't expect the music of Keb Mo you're used to. This isn't a blues recording. These are peace oriented folk, rock and pop songs from the past. They are meant to remind us of lessons of the past.

The recordings of 'For What It's Worth,' 'Wake up Everybody,' 'People Got to be Free,' and 'Someday We'll all be Free' are as good or better than the originals. 'Imagine' is well done as well.

The Keb and accoustic piano version of 'The Times They Are a'Changin' without accompaniment is particularly striking.

Peace...Back By Popular Demand was written as a social statement by the great Keb Mo (aka Kevin Moore).

This whole social consciense thing isn't new for Mr. Moore. He's inserted songs into his previous offerings, for example, Victim of Comfort, an environmental screed.

In case you've been living in a cave lately you should know he's just appeared in Seattle live as part of 'Vote for Change', on 9/27/04. Along with his good friends Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne Keb kicked it out for peace, love, and understanding. He, after some gentle urging from Jackson Browne, played one song from this new set, What's So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding.

This is a set of covers, for the most part, but done in Keb's original style. You can't go wrong.

These great songs and the original artists are honored by Keb'Mo's new and wonderful interpretations. Listen to it a couple times and then decide. Keb'Mo' adds grace and beauty to everything he does.

Keb' Mo's latest set is an excellent collection of great songs from the past. Mo' does a journeyman's job of delivering these tunes, letting the lyric and melodies speak for themselves. One of my favorites is his piano-backed version of Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'." Using piano rather than guitar and Mo's world-weary wisdom result in a hopeful and unique rendition of this classic. The Youngbloods' peace anthem "Get Together" also works exquisitely with Paulinho Da Costa's percolating percussion. Alicia Keys recently re-did Donny Hathaway's classic "Someday We'll All Be Free." Keb's version again polishes this most beautiful of melodies. Other tracks like Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" and the Rascals' "People Got to Be Free" also work well. This set is upbeat and hopeful, not too distant from "Big Wide Grin" where Keb' did other cover tunes. This is an excellent set from one of our best. Enjoy!

I had seen Kevin Moore, AKA Keb Mo many years ago at a live concert. This was when he was mainly doing Robert Johnson like tunes. He blew me away with how much he sounded and looked like Robert Johnson. My wife and I were so impressed that she interviewed him for a magazine. This was long before he was popular. After his first album, he developed the easy going pop blues style he is now famous for.

We too find his latest CD Peace...Back By Popular Demand to be a bit of an odd turn for him. But then he does have experience with Pop and Rock music. Long before his Keb Mo days he co-wrote a song for the Jefferson Starship and performed in Papa John Creach's solo band. This CD is certainly not Kevin's best effort but I think I understand why he decided to record these songs.

I think, like a lot of people do, that he feels this election year has shown that there is a lot of division in America. I feel this is his way of expressing his feelings about what he thinks is happening in the USA. He as others have gone back to the Sixties and Seventies for inspiration and possible answers. We need to protest for what we feel is right. These songs are positive ways of dealing with difficult cultural feelings. Many music artists these days have gone full circle back to the Nineteen Sixties to look for inspiration or honor the music that originally inspired them. Oddly, and I am sure for the same reasons the alternative rock band A Perfect Circle has released a similar (in content) set of songs but in a very different style. APC also takes several old "protest" songs but makes a very dark statement. Infact some of these arrangments are so dark and scary that they sound like they were by the related band metal alt. Tool. Weirdly, they covered two of the same songs as Keb Mo did, "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding" and "Imagine." But they are different from Keb Mo's and the originals as night and day. Actually I'd love to hear a similar album from Ben Harper. He might actually further his art with such covers. Keb Mo is best with the blues.

- Mike

I have loved Keb' Mo for about 10 years. I knew that there were mixed reviews for this CD, but I still put it on my Christmas wish list and I'm glad I did. He makes the covers his own. I don't hear the original artists, but the message of the songs which seems to be his intent. I love how he applies his style especially to the Bob Dylan song which I understand more now than before! With every song I thought, "Okay, this is my favorite." Now it's impossible to decide. Some of the songs made me want to dance and think at the same time!

I respect the man and his music because he always seems to be earthy and true to his heart no matter the subject. He expresses his heart for the world using the message of these carefully chosen songs. (Inside the CD sleeve there is a line from each song that seems to be the reason it was chosen.) He has written songs like Victims of Comfort (Keb Mo) and Stand up And Be Strong (The Door) that show his long-standing concern for people to take responsibility to change the world.

As meaningful, uplifting, and enjoyable as ever!

Keb' Mo is an interesting musician for a 27 year old black male to be listening to these days. After shunning many of the horrible CD's coming out, seemingly by the day, I can only smile at my experience here. All of the problems I have with mainstream music are absent in this and his prior CD, "Keep it Simple". I don't have to worry about him cursing, degrading women, or trying to synthesize his voice. He writes his own music, plays an instrument, and talks about real life stuff. He doesn't try to be catchy, but you can listen to him all day. In this CD, he is tackling heavier matters than the laid back blues he seems to be known for, and I welcome an artist who goes from laid back good blues to heavier topics (unlike a person who goes from B*tches and h*es to a forced positive message).

Anyone who combines good lyrics, instrumental skill, and a positive message needs to be heard. Buy a copy for your son or daughter who listens to the mainstream...you'd be surprised.

4 other CD's to get:

Men of Standard--It's a New Day
Deitrick Haddon--Crossroads
Boyz II Men--Throwback
Ben Harper and Blind Boys of Alabama--There Will Be a Light


God Bless You!

Having been a fan for years - and seen Keb play live - this is a different bag from the blues-inspired material that put him on the map. Some have knocked this CD as it ain't blues; don't much matter to me - the guy is still a great musician. Nice arrangements of some oldies played with a lot of heart.

I have owned this CD for a while and I keep coming back to play it for comfort. I love his blues style and interpretation of old Vietnam war classics. The timeing and message is clear, but the songs are beautiful. He can do it all! What a musician!

I believe that my only previous experience with Keb Mo was from background music to some television show or the like. I can't recall for sure but it was enough to spark curiosity. Not too long ago, previewed his albums available on Amazon. He isn't at all particularly the type of artist that I mostly add to my collection. But he meets several standards which I most respect. To start, his talent is impeccable and he is unique. Add to that the acoustic or semi-acoustic style he often uses and I'm sold. However, it's unlikely that I'll be purchasing much more of his work. Why? Is this a negative appraisal? Hardly. My appreciation for his music is very similar to that of Greg Brown or John Prine. Both are great talents. But just like Keb Mo, I'm not all that found of their material for the most part. However, when Brown performed the selections for "Honey in the Lion's Head," his acoustic renditions of traditional music were pure art. Same for Prine when he teamed with Mac Wiseman to do the album,"Standard Songs for Average People." It was purely memorable. Needles to say, I don't own much else from either artist. But if they produce something similar to the albums I've mentioned, I'll be right in line for purchase. Same goes for Keb Mo and this album.